Happy Friday!!! Going into the weekend, I wanted to give you a fun summer appetizer recipe that makes amazing use of summer veggies. This Warm Summer Vegetable and Herb Dip with Toasty Baguette is my new FAVOURITE summertime healthy appetizer because its quick and easy to make, and tastes incredible! It is literally just packed full of all the healthy summer veggies, cooked down into a creamy dip that is begging to have some toasty baguette chunks dunked in.
This is one of those recipe that feels indulgent and like something you would order at a restaurant (and spend way too much money on). Yet it is still so summery because it has the freshness of parsley and basil, as well as cherry tomatoes, summer squash and zucchini. Its all cooked in a skillet until saucy, and then we stir in a little bit of hummus to add creaminess and the perfect amount of garlicky tang. Even Greg was surprised at how much he loved it, because normally he’s not really a vegetable-lover!
The key ingredients…
There are a few key ingredients here that really make this recipe a WOW sort of dish.
- zucchini or summer squash
- ripe cherry tomatoes
- fresh basil and parsley (although you can use dried if you have to)
- freshly baked baguette (I recommend getting the really good stuff from the bakery)
- vodka (there is a splash of vodka in here, it really amplifies the tomato flavour, but of course you can omit if you aren’t comfortable cooking with alcohol)
Making the dip couldn’t be easier, its all done in one pan! And then you just rip up chunks of baguette, toss in some oil, salt and pepper, and bake until lightly toasted. You might want to double up on the baguette though because you’ll be wanting to eat more and more, trust me!
Warm Summer Vegetable and Herb Dip with Toasty Baguette
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
A creamy, warm summer vegetable dip with fresh herbs, and toasted baguette for dipping.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp vegan butter
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 small or 1 large zucchini, finely chopped or grated
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (approx 1 pint), halved
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- optional: 2 tbsp vodka
- 1/4 cup hummus
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
- salt and pepper to taste
- optional: olive oil and chilli flakes for serving
Toasty Baguette:
- 1 baguette, ripped into chunks
- drizzle of oil
- pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, toss baguette with oil, salt and pepper until coated and spread in an even layer onto sheet pan.
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- In a large skillet or frying pan on medium heat, add the vegan butter. When sizzling, add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, zucchini and cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes, until onion starts to turn translucent.
- Reduce heat slightly and cover with a lid or sheet pan to trap the steam. Cook about 10 minutes, until veggies soften and tomatoes begin to burst.
- Add the tomato paste and vodka and increase heat to medium and simmer, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. The vegetables should start to break apart as you stir. You can use a spatula or even a potato masher to break them down a bit more.
- Put the baguette sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake about 5 minutes until lightly golden brown and toasted.
- Add the hummus, herbs and a pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. Taste and add some more salt if needed. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir frequently so it doesn’t get stuck to the pan. Add a splash of water if it seems too thick.
- Add dip to a serving dish. Optional step: drizzle the top with some olive oil and a sprinkle of chilli flakes.
- Remove baguette from oven and add to serving platter. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35
